How to read this. Rytr, Writesonic, Jasper and ChatGPT Plus are mostly flat monthly plans — your cost does not rise with volume. So the real "ROI" question is: at the words you actually produce, what is your effective cost per 1,000 words? The more you write, the lower it goes. Enter your estimated monthly words and we show the math for each tool using published starting prices.
| Tool | Starting price/mo | Your $/1k words |
|---|---|---|
| Rytr | $7.50 | — |
| Writesonic (Starter) | $79 | — |
| Jasper | $49 | — |
| ChatGPT Plus | $20 | — |
What this tells you
- If you write a little, the cheap plan (Rytr) wins on raw price.
- If ranking or brand voice matters more than price, the higher plans earn their cost elsewhere.
- None of these prices include the editing time — that is the real line item, not the subscription.
What do people ask about AI Writing ROI Calculator: Words per Dollar?
Is an AI writing tool worth it for low volume?
If you write a few pieces a month, a free tier (ChatGPT, QuillBot) is often enough before paying for a dedicated tool.
Why does cost per word drop as I write more?
Because the plans are flat monthly fees — the subscription cost is fixed, so spreading it over more words lowers the unit cost.
Do these prices include editing time?
No. The subscription is the small cost; human review of output is the larger one and isn't in any calculator.
Which tool is cheapest per word?
At any real volume, Rytr at $7.50/month is the cheapest per 1,000 words of the four compared here.